Transformation superplasticity of iron and Fe/TiC metal matrix composites

Journal Article · Sun Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1998 · Metallurgical and Materials Transactions. A, Physical Metallurgy and Materials Science

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/s11661-998-0138-6· OSTI ID:611588

Zwigl, P; Dunand, D C ^[1]

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1. Massachusetts Inst. of Tech., Cambridge, MA (United States). Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering

Unreinforced iron was thermally cycled around the {alpha}/{gamma} phase field under an externally applied uniaxial tensile stress, resulting in strain increments which could be accumulated, upon repeated cycling, to a total strain of 450 pct without failure. In agreement with existing theory attributing transformation superplasticity to the biasing of the internal allotropic strains by the external stress, the measured strain increments were proportional to the applied stress at small stresses. However, for applied stresses higher than the nominal yield stress, strain increments increased nonlinearly with stress, as a result of strain hardening due to dissolved carbon and iron oxide dispersoids. Also, the effects of transient primary creep and ratchetting on the superplastic strain increment values were examined. Finally, partial cycling within the {alpha}/{gamma} phase field indicated an asymmetry in the superplastic strain behavior with respect to the temperature cycling range, which is attributed to the different strengths of ferrite and austenite. Transformation superplasticity was demonstrated in iron-matrix composites containing 10 and 20 vol pct TiC particles: strain increments proportional to the applied stress were measured, and a fracture strain of 230 pct was reached for the Fe/10TiC composite. However, the strain increments decreased with increasing TiC content, a result attributed to the slight dissolution of TiC particles within the matrix which raised the matrix yield stress by solid-solution strengthening and by reducing the transformation temperature range.

• Sponsoring Organization: Department of the Army, Washington, DC (United States)
• OSTI ID: 611588
• Journal Information: Metallurgical and Materials Transactions. A, Physical Metallurgy and Materials Science, Journal Name: Metallurgical and Materials Transactions. A, Physical Metallurgy and Materials Science Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 29; ISSN MMTAEB; ISSN 1073-5623
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
COMPOSITE MATERIALS
CREEP
CRYSTAL-PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
FABRICATION
IRON
IRON ALLOYS
PLASTICITY
RATCHETING
TITANIUM CARBIDES